Disposable, self-contained laryngoscope and method of using same

ABSTRACT

The present invention is generally directed toward a laryngoscope having a handle, a rigid tube, and an optical subassembly. The handle has a distal end and a proximate end. The tube is hollow and also has a distal end having a distal opening and a proximate end having a proximate opening. The optical subassembly includes a light source located within the handle, a power source located within the handle and in communication with the light source and a light carrier extending between the handle and the tube and in communication with the light source and providing light inside and along the entire length of the tube.

REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/847,915 filed Jul. 30, 2010 entitled Disposable, Self-ContainedLaryngoscope and Method of Using Same.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

This application is not referenced in any microfiche appendix.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a laryngoscope, more specifically,toward a disposable laryngoscope having a rigid cylindrical body forclearing, visualizing, and accessing, the intubation pathway.

A laryngoscope is used to assist with the placement of a tube into apatient's trachea to aid with the oxygenation of the patient. The priorart laryngoscope uses either a straight or curved blade that allows forthe visualization of the patient's vocal cords which are used forlocating the patient's larynx and subsequently the trachea. This reducesthe risk of intubating the patients esophagus which would cause air tobe blown into the stomach, causing stomach distension and vomiting notto mention depriving the patient of oxygen, and possibly death.

The presence of blood, saliva, vomit secretions can interfere, with theproper placement of the laryngoscope. Further, in emergency situations,the proper placement of the laryngoscope most be done in a quick andsafe manner. However, despite good technique by the health care providerutilizing the laryngoscope described in the prior art, there is still aneed for an improved laryngoscope that can be used in difficult oremergency situations in and out of a medical facility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention satisfies the needs discussed above. The presentinvention is generally directed toward a laryngoscope, morespecifically, toward a disposable laryngoscope having a rigidcylindrical body for clearing and visualizing the intubation pathway toassist with the intubation of a patient in an emergency situation or apatient known for having difficult intubation capability.

One aspect of the present invention includes a laryngoscope having ahandle, a cylindrical tube and an optical subassembly. The handle hasdistal and proximate ends and a cavity for the seating of the opticalsubassembly. Further, the handle can be configured in a bent or straightconfiguration. Instruments such as a bougie, damps, tracheal tubes and asuction catheter, can be placed within the interior portion, known asthe lumen, of the cylindrical tube included to create an emergencyairway kit to be used by emergency medical services inside as well asoutside of a medical facility, i.e. a hospital.

The tube is hollow and. also has distal and proximate ends. The tube canbe cylindrical, oblong or a variation of uniform or non-uniformroundness. The proximate end of the handle is in communication with theproximate end of the tube. An optical subassembly can be located withinthe handle and can extended into the tube.

The tube also has openings located at its proximate and distal ends.These openings can aid the healthcare provider with visualizing theproper placement of the laryngoscope within the patient's mouth andthroat To aid with the insertion of the cylindrical tube, the distalopening is oriented at an angle relative to the vertical cross sectionalplane of the tube.

The tube can be made from a metal, a transparent material or translucentmaterial or a combination of the three. The transparent or translucentmaterial will aid in the illumination of the tube along its entirelength which will also aid in the proper placement thereof. This isimportant in those emergency situations where there may be excessivebleeding and/or vomiting which may quickly come up the laryngoscopethereby not obstructing the light source. Further, a suction cathetercan be placed within the lumen to assist with the removal of theexcessive blood and/or vomit from the patient's airway.

One aspect of the optical subassembly includes a light source locatedwithin the handle, a power source such as one or more batteries locatedalso within as handle and in communication with the light source. Alight carder such as a fiber optic cable is in communication with thelight source and extends from the handle into the tube wherein itproduces light so that the healthcare provider can see the tube and intothe patient's mouth and throat to aid in the proper placement thereof.In difficult intubation patients: or those in art emergency situation,the health care provider passes a bougie through the laryngoscopebetween the vocal cords and into the trachea. The laryngoscope isremoved, and the endotracheal tube (which allows ventilation of thepatient) is guided over the bougie Into the trachea to gain safe andquick control of the patient's airway.

Another aspect of the optical subassembly includes a light sourceproviding light down the tube from the proximal end to the distal end.This light will aid the operator in visualizing the larynx despiteobstructions such as blood and vomit. In this aspect, as light isconducted through the material of the tube, the tube is illuminated.Further, as light can be provided within the lumen of the tube, interiorportion of the tube can also be illuminated. This light will illuminatethe circumference of the lumen of the tube.

Another aspect of the present invention includes the tube as describedabove with the addition of a strip of protective material located along,the tube proximate to its proximate end. The inclusion of this materialis to protect the patient's teeth during use. The material can be madefrom a rubber or other flexible type of material.

Another aspect of the present invention includes the tube as describedabove further having side ports that can be used for suction and/or jetventilation.

Another aspect of the present invention includes the laryngoscope tubeas described above but is configured to be connectably attached throughexisting laryngoscope handles. This connection can be swivel and/orhinged and can be removable.

Another aspect of the present invention includes a method of using thelaryngoscope tube as described above to secure the airway of a patient.In a difficult or emergency situation where the visualization of apatient's larynx is impaired, the medical provider holds the inventivelaryngoscope by the handle and inserts the cylindrical tube into thepatient's throat, looking through the cylindrical tube until the larynxis visualized. At that point, a bougie is inserted through thecylindrical tube between the patient's vocal cords and into thepatient's trachea. The inventive laryngoscope is removed along thebougie, leaving the bougie in place. The bougie can then guide anendrotracheal tube into the patient's trachea. Once in place, the bougieis then removed and the endrotracheal tube can be used to ventilate thepatient.

Upon reading the included description, various alternative embodimentswill become obvious to those skilled in the art. These embodiments areto be considered within the scope and spirit of the subject invention,which is only limited by the claims which follow and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an additional embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an additional embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of an embodiment of thecylindrical tube of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is an exploded side view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention set out in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6. is a perspective view of an embodiment of the proximate end ofthe cylindrical tube of the second embodiment of the present inventionset out in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of an embodiment of the optical subassembly ofthe second embodiment of the present invention set out in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is a rear view of the proximate end of the cylindrical tube ofthe embodiment of the present invention set out in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the proximate end of the cylindrical tube ofthe third embodiment of the present invention set out in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of thecylindrical tube of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of thecylindrical tube of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the handleof the present Invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of thecylindrical tube of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is generally directed toward a laryngoscope, morespecifically, toward a laryngoscope having a rigid cylindrical body forclearing, visualizing, and accessing the intubation pathway.

As shown in FIG. 1 the embodiment 10 of the inventive laryngoscope isillustrated. Embodiment 10 comprises a handle 12, a cylindrical tube 14and an optical subassembly 16 contained within and extending between ahandle 12 and cylindrical like 14.

Handle 12 has a distal end 22 and a proximate end 24. Handle 12 can havea bent configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1 or a straightconfiguration as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Cylindrical tube 14 has a distal end 18 having a distal end opening 32and a proximate end 20 having a proximate end opening. Distal endopening 32 is oriented at an angle relative to the vertical crosssectional plane of cylindrical tube 14. This angling of distal endopening aids in the insertion of cylindrical tube 14 into the patient'smouth and throat. Cylindrical tube 14 is hollow to allow the user toview inside the patient's mouth and throat. The shape of the tube isshown to be cylindrical. This is for illustrative purposes and is notmeant to be limiting. The tube can be of various uniform and non-uniformroundness, including oblong, and can have non-uniform radius size fromproximate end 20 to distal end 18, and further can be oblong at one endand circular at the other.

Proximate end 20 of cylindrical tube 14 is secured to the proximate end24 of handle 12. The connection of cylindrical tube 14 and handle 12 canbe of a unitary construction or of separate construction.

Optical subassembly 16 includes the light source 26 located withinhandle 12, a power source 28 located within handle 12 and incommunication with light source 26. Power source 28 can include knownpower sources including batteries. A light carrier 30 is incommunication with light source 26 and is located within handle 12 andextends into cylindrical tube 14. Light carrier 30 can include fiberoptic cables, light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other similar devices.Light carrier 30 terminates within cylindrical tube 14. Light 33emanates from the end 31 of light carrier 30. Light 33 illuminates theinterior of the cylindrical tube 14 thereby aiding the user ofembodiment 10 in placing the embodiment properly within the patient'smouth and throat.

Cylindrical tube 14 is rigid and can be made from a suitable metal, atransparent material, a translucent material or combination thereof. Theuse of transparent and/or translucent material can aid with theillumination of the entire cylindrical tube 14 along its length. This isuseful in situations where blood or other items can hinder the abilityto view the interior of the patient's mouth and/or throat. Thelaryngoscope may be of different lengths and widths.

The laryngoscope may be disposable (or single use), allowing itsinclusion with a bougie and suction catheter into an emergency airwaykit to be used by emergency medical services inside as well as outsideof a medical (hospital) facility. Furthermore, the inventivelaryngoscope may be partially disposable. In this situation, the handleportion and optical subassembly portion may be reused while thecylindrical tube portion may be discarded. In such a situation, only thepart of the instrument that actually was inserted would be disposed ofwhile the remaining portions would be reused creating a savings oncleaning and replacement costs.

Once the inventive laryngoscope is placed properly within the patient'sthroat, various devices including a suction tube or a bougie (not shown)can be inserted through cylindrical tube 14 into the patient's trachea.When a bougie is inserted, the cylindrical tube 14 can then be removedby sliding such along the bougie, leaving the bougie in place. Thebougie then acts a guide for the proper placement of additional devicessuch as an endotracheal tube to aid the patient.

Another embodiment 60 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3.This embodiment includes a cylindrical tube 62. Cylindrical tube 62includes the same features as the cylindrical tube of the previousembodiment. Embodiment 60 also includes a handle 64 and an opticalsubassembly 66 that is located within handle 64. Handle 64 is hindgelyconnected to cylindrical tube 62 by a hinge 68. Hinge 6 is merelyillustrative and is not limiting. Those schooled in the art wouldrecognize other forms of moveable connections can be utilized with thepresent invention. Additionally tube 62 can include connection means notshown that can be configured to adapt to prior art laryngoscope handles.

An additional feature of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2and 4. This feature includes a strip of protective material 40 located,along the outer side 38 at tube 14 near its proximate end 20. Thisprotective material is utilized to protect the teeth and soli tissuelocated within the patient's mouth during use. The protective material40 can be made from rubber or other suitable flexible material.

Another feature of the inventive laryngoscope can include a cylindricaltube 14 having one or more side ports not shown to allow for suctionand/or jet ventilation.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of usingthe laryngoscope tube as described, above to secure the airway of apatient. This embodiment includes holding the inventive laryngoscope bythe handle, inserting the cylindrical tube into the patient's throat,looking, through the cylindrical tube until the larynx is visualized. Atthat point, bougie is inserted through the cylindrical tube between thepatient's vocal cords and into the patient's trachea. The inventivelaryngoscope is removed along the bougie, leaving the bougie in place.The bougie can then guide an endrotracheal tube into the patient'strachea. Once in place, the bougie is then removed and the endrotrachealtube can be used to ventilate the patient.

Another embodiment 100 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.5-13. Embodiment 100 comprises a handle assembly 110, a cylindrical tube120 and an optical subassembly 130 extending between the handle assembly110 and the cylindrical tube 120. Cylindrical tube 120, handle 110 andoptical subassembly 130 can be a unitary construction or of separateconstruction as shown in FIG. 5A. Further, cylindrical tube 120, handle110 and optical subassembly 130 can be constructed of disposablematerial.

As shown in FIG. 5, handle assembly 110 has a distal end 112 and aproximate end 114 which is removably secured to optical subassembly 130.Cylindrical tube 120 has a distal end 122 and a proximal end 126 whichis removably secured to optical subassembly 130.

Cylindrical tube 120 has an outer surface 121 and an inner surface 123with a thickness 125 therebetween. The inner surface 123 defines an openpassage, known as the lumen 129, which extends the length of thecylindrical tube 120. Distal end 122 of cylindrical tube 120 has adistal end opening 124 providing access to lumen 129. Proximal end 126has a proximal end opening 128 providing access to lumen 129. Distal endopening 124 can be oriented at an angle A relative to the vertical crosssectional plane at cylindrical the 120. This angling A of distal endopening 124 can aid in the insertion of the cylindrical tube 120 into apatient's mouth and throat.

The cylindrical tube 120 in this embodiment is made from a translucentmaterial. However, one skilled in the art will understand the materialfrom which the cylindrical tube 120 is made can include other types ofmaterials, including non-translucent material and a transparentmaterial. The use of transparent and/or translucent material can aidwith the illumination of the entire cylindrical tube 120 along itslength. This is useful in situations where blood or other items canhinder the ability to view the interior of the patient's mouth and/orthroat. The laryngoscope may be of different lengths and widths.

An embodiment of optical subassembly 130 is shown in the FIGS. 5-7.Optical subassembly 130, having a light source housing 132, is removablesecured to cylindrical tube 120 such that the outer surface of opticalsubassembly 130 is continuous with the outer surface 121. Opticalsubassembly 130 has an opening 131 that extends the length of opticalsubassembly 130 and that corresponds to lumen 129. Opening 131 allowsfor the proper placement of the cylindrical tube 120. The operator peersinto opening 131 and through optical subassembly 130 and proximal endopening 128 and looks through lumen 129 and through to distal endopening 124 to see inside the patient's mouth and throat.

A power source 134 is located within handle assembly 110. Within lightsource housing 132 is a light source 135 that provides light 150 downthe cylindrical tube 120 from its proximal end 126 to its distal end122. This light will aid the operator in visualizing the larynx despiteobstructions such as blood and vomit.

This embodiment of light source 135 illustrates a circular light source.This is for illustrative purposes. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that other configurations can also be utilized. Light source135 can be any light source that can project sufficient light into andthrough cylindrical tube 120, include a solid illuminating light and aring of light emitting diodes.

In this embodiment, optical subassembly 130 is shown having an innerportion 133. The latter portion 133 directs light 130 into the lumen 129and thereby illuminating the interior of the cylindrical tube 120.

Other embodiments of optical subassembly 130 allow for light source 135to project light through the thickness 125 of cylindrical tube 120. Inthis embodiment, light 150 can illuminate the outer surface 121 and/orthe inner surface 123.

When cylindrical tube 120 is constructed of translucent and/ortransparent material, light source 135 is capable of illuminating theexterior of cylindrical tube 120 along with within the lumen 129 of thecylindrical tube 120.

Light source 135 is located around the circumference of cylindrical tube120 at or near its proximal end 126. Light 150 from light source 135travels along length of cylindrical illuminating the outer surface 121and/or the inner surface 123 of the cylindrical tube 120. This lightwill aid the operator in visualizing the larynx despite obstructionssuch as blood and vomit This light will illuminate the circumference ofthe lumen of the tube.

Another embodiment 200 of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.8 and 9. In this embodiment, optical subassembly 230 includes a lightsource housing 232 having a light source 235 located therein. Lightsource 235 projects light 250 through and within thickness 225 ofcylindrical tube 220 between outer surface 221 and inner surface 223. Aplurality of light channels 234 are located around the circumference of,and extend the length of, cylindrical tube 220. These light channels 234extend from the outer surface 221 to the inner surface 223. Light 250from light source 235 is projected into the plurality of light channels234. The light 250 then illuminates the outer surface 221 and/or innersurface 223.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 10. In thisembodiment, the inner surface 123 can be coated with an opaque material240 to cut down on the glare from the light being projected therein.When opaque material 240 is used with cylindrical tube 120, openings 242within opaque material 240 are positioned around the circumference andlength of the inner surface 123. These openings 242 allow for light 250to penetrate into the lumen 129 of the cylindrical tube 120. Thiscoating can also act to avoid glare into the operator's eye.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 11. In thisembodiment, fiber optic lines 270 extend from light source 235 andthrough the thickness 225 of cylindrical tube 220 between outer surface221 and inner surface 223. These fiber optic lines allow for light 250to illuminate the outer surface 221 and/or inner surface 223, along withthe lumen 229 along the length of cylindrical tube 220.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, another embodiment of the present inventioncomprises a handle assembly (not shown), a cylindrical tube 400 and anoptical subassembly as previously described (not shown) along with theinclusion of a side tube 402 to allow ventilation of the patient usinggeneral anesthesia equipment. The side tube has an elongation such thatit can pass through between the vocal cords into the trachea to become a“ventilating bronchoscope”. The side tube 402 can be secured to thecylindrical tube 400 and/or handle assembly through standard securingmeans and processes. Additionally, side tube 402 can be located withinthe lumen 404 of cylindrical tube 400. In all cases, however, theopening of side tube 402 at the proximal end of cylindrical tube 400will always be located on the outside of cylindrical tube 400 toaccommodate instruments, attachments and other tools.

Another embodiment 110 of the optical subassembly 130 of the presentinvention as described above along with the inclusion of a toggle switch312 to allow the turning off and on the light source connected thereto,along with having the ability to dim or increase the amount ofillumination provided the optical subassembly. Those skilled in the artwill recognize that any light switch mechanism can be utilized to bothcontrol light intensity and/or provide power to the optical subassembly.Such light switch mechanisms can include slide switches. Further sincethis embodiment can be disposable, the light switch mechanism caninclude a single pull strip that engages the appropriate circuitry toallow power to be provided optical subassembly 130 such that onceactivated the power will not be disengaged until the power source isdrained. The descriptions of the various light switch mechanisms in thisdescription are merely illustrative and are not meant to be limiting.

While these embodiments describe the present invention in terms of alaryngoscope to be used within the throat area of a patient, suchdescription is illustrative. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat the present invention described herein can be utilized with anybody cavity or orifice for examination of those areas. The descriptionof the use within the throat region is not meant to be limiting.

While the invention has been described with at certain degree ofparticularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in thedetails of construction and the arrangement of components withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understoodthat the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth hereinlair purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scopeof the attached claims, including the full range of equivalency to whicheach element thereof is entitled.

We claim:
 1. A laryngoscope comprising: a handle; a tube incommunication with the handle, the tube being construction fromtranslucent material; and a optical subassembly extending between thehandle and the tube, wherein the optical subassembly provides lightalong the length of the tube, wherein the light illuminates the lengthof the tube.
 2. The laryngoscope of claim 1 wherein the opticalsubassembly provides light along the length of the tube and wherein thelight illuminates the length of the interior of the tube.
 3. Thelaryngoscope of claim 1 wherein the optical subassembly provides lightalong the length of the tube and wherein the light illuminates thelength of the exterior of the tube.
 4. A laryngoscope comprising: ahandle having a distal end and a proximate end; a tube having an outersurface, an inner surface, a distal end and a proximate end defining alumen therethrough, the tube having a distal opening located at thedistal end providing access to the lumen and a proximate opening locatedat the proximate end providing access to the lumen, the proximate end ofthe tube being secured to the proximate end of the handle; and a opticalsubassembly extending between the handle and the tube, wherein theoptical subassembly provides light along the length of the tube, whereinthe light illuminates the length of the tube.
 5. The laryngoscope ofclaim 4 wherein the optical subassembly is further defined ascomprising: a light source located at the proximate end of the tube, thelight source projecting light along the length of the tube.
 6. Thelaryngoscope of claim 5 wherein the light source extends around thecircumference of the tube and projects light along the circumference ofthe interior of tube.
 7. The laryngoscope of claim 4 wherein the tube ismade from a metal.
 8. The laryngoscope of claim 4 wherein the tube ismade from a transparent material.
 9. The laryngoscope of claim 4 whereinthe tube is made from a translucent material.
 10. The laryngoscope ofclaim 4 wherein the tube is made from a combination of two or more ofthe group consisting of metal, transparent material and translucentmaterial.
 11. A laryngoscope comprises: a handle having a distal end anda proximate end; a tube having an outer surface, an inner surface anddefining a thickness therebetween, the tube having a distal end and aproximate end defining a lumen therethrough, the tube having a distalopening located at the distal end providing access to the lumen and aproximate opening located at the proximate end providing access to thelumen, the proximate end of the tube being secured to the proximate endof the handle; and an optical subassembly extending between the handleand the tube, the optical subassembly having a light source located atthe proximate end of the tube, the light source extending around thecircumference of the tube and within the thickness of the tube, thelight source projecting light along the length of the tube.
 12. Thelaryngoscope of claim 11 further comprising: a plurality of lightchannels located within the thickness and around the circumference of ofthe tube and extending along the length of the tube; and a plurality oflight openings located along the inner surface of the tube, wherein thelight source projects light along the plurality of light channels,wherein the plurality of light openings allows the projected light toilluminate the interior of the tube.